Drug testing welfare recipients is a net loss for Florida

[alp227]

The ACLU’s Derek Newton says in a statement today that “based on the NYT estimate that the average temporary assistance applicant receives $253 monthly for less than five months, the state has saved $40,480 in denied benefits due to drug testing.”

“With an average test cost of about $35,” he writes, “the state reimbursed $246,050 for the tests of those who passed. The net loss to the state of $200,000 since July does not include substantial administrative or legal costs.”

According to the Times, opponents “suggest the number of drug users among people who receive public benefits is lower than the general population, and proponents say that it suggests that drug users are being deterred from taking the test.”

Newton adds that “since the state requires applicants to pay for tests in advance and testing facilities are not available in every community, it’s impossible to know how many of the 1,597 applicants who did not take the test would have passed or failed or would have lost eligibility otherwise.”

full: http://washingtonindependent.com/113391/drug-testing-welfare-recipients-is-a-net-loss-for-florida

The Independent linked to the NY Times article from today "States Adding Drug Test as Hurdle for Welfare"

[valerief]

1. Hey, that 40 grand can pay for part of a state dinner by the criminal gov. nt

[Skittles]

2. now let's drug test those thieving Wall Street bastards

[GESICC]

6. Here, Here!

Seriously, I wonder what the stats would be:o)

[Mac1949]

3. I wonder how much of that found it's way into the coffers

of Rick Scott's (or technically, his wife's) clinics? x(

[DirkGently]

4. Another fact-proof part of the conservative homily: aid to the poor goes to pay for drugs.

(except, of course, that it doesn't).

[GESICC]

7. Used to see it all the time in Seattle

Folks exchanging stuff bought with food stamps for cash...
they did crack down on that, thank goodness.  I think they are
pretty difficult to liquidate now, also, thank goodness.

[Devin M]

5. Florida seems determined to screw itself

Just look at the primary schedule!